Endangered and threatened animals in South Africa

Cape tortoises 

Cape tortoises, also known as padlopers, are tiny tortoises found in southern Africa. Two of the three species, the speckled tortoise (Chersobius signatus) and the karoo padloper (Chersobius boulengeri) are endangered. Found in western South Africa, the speckled tortoise is the smallest tortoise in the world—males measure 6 to 8 centimetres (2.4 to 3.1 inches) in carapace length, while females grow up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) long. 

Agricultural development, overgrazing of livestock, and an increase in mining have degraded and destroyed much of the speckled tortoise’s habitat. They are also sometimes victims of illegal trade as exotic pets. Climate change is expected to impact speckled tortoises through changing temperatures and rainfall patterns, which can negatively affect their growth rates and fecundity. 

Overgrazing is also a major threat to the karoo padloper, which is found in southern South Africa, as is drought. A newer threat to the species is shale gas exploration. This industry requires large-scale infrastructure and drilling that can severely impact the habitat of tortoises. 

Riverine rabbits 

Riverine rabbits (Bunolagus monticularis) are critically endangered mammals found in South Africa. There are only 157 to 207 of these rabbits remaining in the wild. They are threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation as a result of changing land use practices. Riverine rabbits are also sometimes hunted for sport and for bushmeat, as well as being caught in traps set for pests on farms. Agricultural practices have also led to these rabbits becoming more vulnerable to predation, and climate change threatens 89% of the habitat of the northern riverine rabbit population. 

Black rhinos 

There are only about 3,142 critically endangered black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) left in the world. There are very small populations of these rhinos monitored by conservationists on protected land in parts of South Africa, including a population of reintroduced eastern black rhinos in Addo Elephant National Park. The main population of south-central black rhinos lives in northeastern South Africa; this subspecies has been wiped out in much of its former range. 

The primary threat to rhinos is and has historically been poaching—specifically, illegal hunting for their horns. Taking a rhino’s horn is a death sentence for the animal and a cruel practice. It’s estimated that around 95% of rhino horn traded to Southeast Asia, where horns are used in traditional medicine and for decoration, is from black rhinos. Black rhino poaching peaked in 2015 and has been declining over the past decade, but black rhinos still need to be protected from poachers. 

Blue cranes 

Blue cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) are a bird species found South Africa and Namibia. They are classed as vulnerable. Also known as Stanley cranes and paradise cranes, they are the national bird of South Africa. Blue cranes have sadly faced poisoning—both unintentional and intentional—which has caused significant declines in its population. While intentional poisoning of this species has decreased, it was previously done to protect crops. Accidental poisoning continues today, as farmers soak their crops in chemicals to kill pests and blue cranes ingest them. Climate change is also impacting agriculture, leading to practices that may cause further harm to the cranes. 

In addition, collisions with powerlines, entanglement in fences, illegal capture of fledglings, predation by domestic dogs, and chicks becoming stuck in water troughs all pose threats to blue cranes. 

Cormorants 

Cormorants are medium-to-large, fish-eating seabirds with long bills and webbed feet. Two cormorant species found in South Africa are endangered—the Cape cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) and the bank cormorant (Phalacrocorax neglectus). There are approximately 234,000 Cape cormorants remaining and only 5,000 bank cormorants. 

The major threat they face is a shortage of food due to commercial fishing. Oil pollution is also a threat and has caused mass die-offs of cormorants in the past. In addition, climate change is displacing their prey and impacting their breeding success, and guano mining also harms cormorant species. 

Knysna seahorse 

Also known as the Cape seahorse, the Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) is found along a stretch of South Africa’s coast. These seahorses inhabit depths of just 0.5 to 20 metres (1.6 to 65.6 feet), and they are endangered. Their primary habitat is the Knysna estuary, which is one of the most heavily used bodies of water in South Africa, making the species vulnerable to human activities. Urban expansion, stormwater runoff, and wastewater disposal are unfortunately polluting their habitat. Researchers also believe they are vulnerable to water temperature changes, which makes climate change a looming threat to Knysna seahorses. 

South African dwarf chameleons 

South African dwarf chameleons (genus Bradypodion) are small, tree-dwelling lizards. An interesting fact that differentiates them from most other chameleons is that the females give birth to live young as opposed to laying eggs. Four species of South African dwarf chameleons are endangered: the Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon, Pondo dwarf chameleon, Kentani dwarf chameleon, and Eshowe dwarf chameleon. 

One threat these species face is the use of their habitat for agriculture, grazing, large-scale timber plantations, and urban development. Some species are experiencing a lack of protection, such as the Pondo dwarf chameleon, which only has 8.3 square kilometres (3.2 square miles) of formally protected habitat. All species have small, restricted ranges, which makes them particularly vulnerable to any encroachment into their habitat. 

Cape vultures 

Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) are found across southern Africa, but they have gone extinct in many parts of their range. They’re classed as vulnerable and fly long distances across the continent, breeding and roosting on cliffs and feeding on carrion. Researchers have determined that the most significant threats to their survival are a decrease in the amount of carrion, accidental poisoning, electrocution or collision with pylons, loss of foraging habitat, and unsustainable hunting. When they’re hunted, their parts are sold for their perceived medicinal benefits. 

Cape flats frogs 

The Cape flats frog (Microbatrachella capensis) is a critically endangered amphibian species found in small areas near Cape Town, South Africa. It lives in sandy, coastal lowland habitats and does not survive well with human disturbance. The spread of alien vegetation alters the water quality of their habitats and dries out their breeding pools, and some of their breeding areas have been drained.  

Gadfly petrels 

Gadfly petrels (genus Pterodroma) are seabirds known for their fast, agile flight patterns. There are two endangered gadfly petrels found in South Africa: Barau’s petrel and the Atlantic petrel. The range of Barau’s petrel spans from the southern point of Africa throughout the Indian Ocean as far east as Western Australia. There are 30,000 to 40,000 Barau’s petrels today, and their population is decreasing. Their biggest threat is invasive mammals—especially predation by cats. Invasive rats also prey on their eggs and chicks. 

The Atlantic petrel can be found on the west coast of South Africa and the east coast of South America. There are about 1.8 million Atlantic petrels total, but their numbers are declining. Invasive mammals also pose one of the biggest threats to this species, but in this case the predators are house mice. About 90% of the Atlantic petrel population can be found on Gough Island, and one study found that 87% of chicks didn’t survive due to being attacked by mice soon after hatching. 

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